SCSI setup

[XPTEX]

Was thinking of going SCSI, this is what I'm thinking of getting:

FUJITSU SCSI HARD DRIVE 36GB 10,000RPM MODEL # MAN3367MP - OEM, DRIVE ONLY

ADAPTEC 1822100 19160 SCSI CONTROLLER CARD LVD ULTRA 160 - OEM External Connectors: One 50-pin for Ultra SCSI. Internal Connectors: One 68-pin for LVD SCSI. One 50-pin for Ultra SCSI

any thoughts ??? I had thought of going 15k,but thats almost twice the price.

 

[RSMemphis]

If you have the money, go for the Maxtor Orca III - it has 8MB of cache.

I have seen it for $330 already, and the cheapest 36GB with 2-4MB I have seen cost $300 already.

Dump the Adaptec and get a Tekram U160. Much better deal. That will pay for the better harddisk. Easily

 

[XPTEX]

Thx RSMemphis

I'll do a little research on the parts you recommended. Maxtor does seem like a better brand choice to begin with. I've always used IBM for my IDE drives but have heard a lot of good things about Maxtor.

Can an average user/gamer expect a lot of difference in going from ATA100 to SCSI ?

 

[RSMemphis]

Hmm...

I have used SCSI on my desktop in the past - just because CPU power was less back then, and SCSI was more efficient.

I am not sure I'd do it again.

Reasons for me to go SCSI:

*) Harddisk is on 24/7 for a LOT of days (better heat adjustment)
*) Image processing with two HDs (very efficient at moving data between those two)
*) Databases or a lot of small files (excellent seek times)


I would not go for SCSI for average use of the computer - the difference will be too small. Games these days don't suffer from a slow HD, but from accessing the CD. A good idea is to get a CD imaging program so that your games do not access the CD...

Best IDE drive currently is the Western Digital 120GB with 8MB cache - it's not that far away from SCSI anymore, but it's not really cheap either.

Hope this helps you along.

EDIT: What I meant with the CD-imaging: There are programs that can access an ISO file of a CD on the harddisk just like it were on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. It really helps with some games that require the CD a lot. Half-life, as an example however, would not benefit from it. (as it does not require the CD).

 

[Bulldog7000]

I love my Tekram DC390-U3W! got it for $185 @ www.hypermicro.com. great performance with my Quaxtor Atlas 10KIIs!

BDOG

 

[XPTEX]

<< I would not go for SCSI for average use of the computer - the difference will be too small. >>



Kinda what I thought, but I have a friend that went SCSI and he says he sees a marked improvement in Ghost Recon (it accesses mainly the HD) and I know Serious Sam SE also accesses the HD a lot. But I think your right in the return for investment you get may not be worth it.

Thx for the input Bulldog !